How to Take Care of the Skin After Delivery

by
ROSE ERICKSON Last Updated: Oct 20, 2015

Rose Erickson

Rose Erickson has been a professional writer since 2010. She specializes in fitness, parenting, beauty, health, nutrition and saving money, and writes for several online publications including The Krazy Coupon Lady. She is also a novelist and a mother of three.

The first months after you have a baby are a busy and exhausting time. With all of a newborn’s demands, it can be difficult for Mom to find time for proper skin care. However, skin problems are not easy to hide. After delivery, hormone fluctuations can cause a variety of skin issues -- from acne to blotchy discolorations. There are a variety of ways to include both external and internal skincare in your busy schedule.

Step 1

Wash away excess oil to prevent acne on your face. Cleanse your face twice a day with a mild cleanser, using your hands or a soft washcloth.

Step 2

Apply a water-based moisturizer after washing if you have dry skin.

Step 3

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This will help support liver function, as well, helping to stabilize your hormones.

Step 4

Eat dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, arugula, kale and spinach. These types of vegetables are full of the vitamins and minerals your skin requires to stay healthy.

Step 5

Apply vitamin E oil, olive oil or cocoa butter to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Avoid stretch mark creams with unfamiliar ingredients, because they can be dangerous if you're breastfeeding.

Step 6

Apply sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Using sunscreen and covering up when outside can help fade pregnancy-related pigmentation patches called chloasma.

Step 7

Warnings

See your doctor if you experience symptoms or skin issues that worry you. He may be able to prescribe a cream or medication to alleviate problems. In addition, laser therapy can be used to treat many skin ailments.

Occasionally, skin problems -- such as dark patches -- can signal a medical condition like underactive thyroid. A doctor can perform a blood test to check for any underlying conditions.

Tips

Take a multivitamin to make up for any nutritional depletion during pregnancy. Skin needs adequate nutrition -- especially the skin of mothers recovering from childbirth. Find a multivitamin with vitamins E, C, A, zinc and selenium. This is especially important for breastfeeding mothers whose nutrients are often exhausted during feeding.